More Than a Lifetime #2: Homecoming

Chapter 2

The next night, Dani was in her room (at the apartment provided by Headquarters, of course) reading a magazine when her computer beeped and announced, "Incoming Transmission."

"If this is another long lost relative..." Dani said, rolling off of her bed and walking over to her desk. She sat down and read the transmission information. She was surprised to find that the transmission was from Will Riker. Almost immediately, she accessed it. Will's image instantly appeared on the screen.

"Hello," Dani greeted.

"Hey," Will said.

"Well, this certainly is a surprise," Dani said.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"No," Dani assured. "I was just trying to catch up on all the magazines I missed while I was gone. It seems that even after all these years, they never terminated my subscription."

Will chuckled. "I guess they don't lie when they say 'guaranteed delivery.'"

Dani smiled. "I guess not. Anyway, I've got about 50 issues left."

"Oh, well, if you're busy-"

"No - I need a break anyway. So, what sparks this transmission?"

"Well, I was thinking about the party last night, and how we were talking about how I hoped it wouldn't be the last time we would be able to do something together," Will said.

"Mm-hmm..."

"And I was wondering when we could make good on that," Will concluded.

'He was asking me out,' Dani thought, recalling the conversation she'd had with Will the previous night. 'Oh, my-'

"Were you serious about that, or just being cordial?" Will asked, interrupting Dani's thoughts.

"I could ask you the same thing," Dani said, "except I already know your answer since you're the one who brought it up." 'I hope I do,' Dani silently added.

"What's your answer?" Will asked, again interrupting Dani's thought processes.

"I was serious," Dani revealed. She wasn't sure, but she thought she saw Will breathe a small sigh of relief. "Am I wrong in assuming that you're glad to hear that?"

"No. In fact, glad is an understatement. I'm damn near giddy."

"Good," Dani said.

"Okay."

This unbearable silence followed. Dani was grateful when Will finally broke it.

"So, I was thinking that maybe we could have lunch," he said.

"Lunch?" Dani repeated

"Yeah."

"Um...okay."

Will eyed her cautiously. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Dani assured him. "No. I just wasn't expecting-"

"It won't be anything formal, if that's what you're worried about. It just be a little...sit-down-get-reacquainted kind of thing."

Something suddenly dawned on Dani - the media. If she went out in public, during the day, especially, the media would eat her alive. She, along with every member of the Voyager crew, had become instant celebrities since their return to Earth. And if they realized that she was on a date? With a famous Starfleet commander, such as Will - they would have field day.

Dani's feelings must've been apparent to Will.

"I'll make sure no one bothers us," he said. "I can have security positioned throughout and around the restaurant. No reporters, no cameras. It could just be the two of us. If that's what you want."